Soft Chocolate Drop Cookies

These are another one of my favorites from Grandma Hume's Christmas cookie plate!

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour, sifted before measuring
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa, unsweetened
1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
butterscotch, white chocolate, or chocolate chips, optional

Icing:
3 T. butter or margarine softened
3 T. Hershey's cocoa
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 C. powdered sugar
1 to 2 T milk
1 T. light corn syrup (careful with the liquids- add gradually to proper consistency)

PREPARATION:
Cream shortening, butter and sugar; beat in egg. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla. Into another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa. Stir into the first batter. Stir in walnuts and/or chips if using.

Chill for an hour; drop by teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350° for 8 to 12 minutes, or until no imprint remains when lightly touched with finger.

Ice with chocolate icing.

Makes about 3 to 4 dozen chocolate cookies, depending on additions.